Fusible link.



J. W. YATES.

FUSIBL'E Ll'NK.

APPLICATION FILED.MAR.26, i915.

LQLALQK Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

PF4., Y

WlTNEssEs: INI/ENTOR ttorneys JOI-IN W. YATES, OF NEW YORK, N. Y. i

FUSIBLE LINK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

Application led MarchZG, 1915. Serial No. 17,160.

l 4To all wwm It may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. Yarns, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, county and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fusible Links, of which the following is a specification.

rllhis invention relates to fusible links of the typedesigned for use as an element of a chain or other tensile support commonly employed in connection with fire-proof windows, doors, etc. The function of the link is to support the closure in open position, but the link is operable upon the rising of the surrounding temperature to a predetermined degree of heat to become disrupted and allow the closure to close. The present invention is applicable to any form of fusible link of the many known types, but, for the purpose of illustration, I have shown the invention as applied to a link of the type shown in Patent No. 1,098,870, granted to me June 2, 1914.

When links of the type specified are employed to detachably maintain the weights of a window sash in operative relation relative to the sash, there is a tendency, when one weight is heavier than the other, for the chain to creep longitudinally so that the heavier weight hangs lower than the other weight.- This shifting of the chain naturally shifts the link with it. Such movement of the link, for reasons well known to those skilled in the art, is of a distinct disadvantage, and various expedients have been resorted to to preclude such movement. Such expedients have, however, proved ineffective and ineiiicient and, in many cases, have been of suchcharacter as to'preclude the disruption of the link in case of fire.

IVith the foregoing in mind, the object of the present invention is to provide a link which may be secured against longitudinal movement in a simple and efficient manner, without, in any way whatever, interfering with the carrying out of the intended functions of said link tothe maximum degree of efficiency.

In one of its practical embodiments, the link of the-present invention consists of two plates which are secured together, with an attaching plate intermediate said side plates, by means of solder of the character adapted to fuse when subjected to a comparatively low degree of heat. Each of the plates is provided with a pocket, in which is positioned a key-pin, and an aperture is provided within the attaching plate to allow of engagement with the pockets of the two side plates. The attaching plate is so formed as to allow of its convenient attachment to some stationary part, and the opposite ends of the side plates are provided with means whereby a cable may be secured to the opposite ends of the link.

Features of the invent-ion, other than those specified, will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated one, practical embodiment of the present invention, but the construction shown therein is to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits ofthe invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the link with the parts assembled, said view illustrating the manner in which the link is incorporated into a chain and, also, one form of means whereby longitudinal movement of the link is precluded.

Fig. 2 is a central, longitudinal section through the assembled link, taken approximately on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 isa transverse section taken in the plane of line 3--3 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4: is a perspective of one embodiment of the attaching member forming the basis of this invention.

Although the present invention is adapted for use with any form of fusible link, the drawings illustrate the present invention as applied to a fusible link of the general character shown in my Patent No. 1,098,870, above referred to. A and B designate a pair of complementary side members provided with tapering pockets or depressions a, o, respectively. These pockets may be of various forms or shapes, but, in the drawings, I have shown them as being positioned substantially at the center portion of the rectangular body of each of the side members and tapering in opposite directions so operation Vof-the two pockets will be substantially cylindrical in shape, with the axis of the cylinder in angular relation to the plane of meeting of the Vadjacent faces of the two side members.

In this space is adapted to be positioned a strut or key-member C, which is cylindrical Y in shape. The opposite ends of the cylindrical member @engage with the shoulders c at the'opposite ends of the cylindrically7 shaped space and, when the parts are united by fusible solder, tension applied in opposite directions to side members A. and B will be carried mainly by the key-member C. However, when heat is applied to melt the solder, as in the case ofriire, the axis of the key-member C being inV angular relation to the line of pull, saidkey-member will force the side members apartand disrupt the link, allk as clearly shown and described in the patent hereinbefore referred to.

It will be manifest that the device, as thus far described, embodies no means for securing the link against longitudinal movement, but this is accomplished in the present invention by means of an attaching plate D which is preferably interposed between the two side members A, B, and is provided l `with a central opening d, through which the shoulders a, t, of the side members A, B,

all of the parts being secured together by fusible solder. a

In Fig; 1 of the drawings, in the opposite ends of the link, z'. e., the distant ends of the two side members, eyes ke are provided, through which eyes are adapted to be securedV the adjacent ends of a. chain or cable 1F, in which it is desired to interpose the fusible link. Any means desired may be utilized in securing the attaching member againstv longitudinal movement, but I have shown, in Fig. l, an S-hook G, one curved end of which is adapted to be passed through aperture d2, iny the extension of the attaching member D, while the curve at the other end of the S-hook engages with Y' an aperture g in any adjacent stationary portion I. The part I shown may, if the `link is applied as a window ttmg, be a ing means described, since, if desired, a bolt portion of the under side of the bottom rail of the lower sash.

An S-hook has been found to embody many advantageous features when used to carry out the functions specified, for the reason that, by its employment, the link is flexibly secured in place, z'. e., said lilik is allowed to move slightly in one direction or the other and, at the same time, the disrupting of the link, under the action of applied heat, is in no way interfered with.

Nevertheless, the link is precluded from change of position to any marked degree and is adapted for slight movement transversely in adapting itself to the direction of pull of the cable F. The present invention is not, however, limited to the particular attach- 7 screw, staple, or the like, may coperate with the aperture cl2 of the attaching plate to secure the same against undesirable shifting.

Throughout the foregoing description, I have described one particular embodiment of the invention and have shown the attaching member as applied to a particular form of fusible link. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the structural features shown and described and that the same may be varied in adapting the invention to its various environments. Moreover, the present invention is adapted for use with any form of fusible link and is not limited to the construction herein shown. I do not, therefore, limit the invention to the construction specified, but consider the same as broadly new as commensurate with the appended claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A fusible link embodying, in combination, two lapped side members secured together by fusible solder, and an attaching member for anchoring the link, said attaching member being independent of the side members and secured thereto by said solder.

2. A fusible link embodying, in combination, two lapped side members, an attaching member, for anchoring the link, positioned intermediate said side members, and fusible solder uniting the whole.

3. A fusible link embodying, in combination, two lapped side members, each of which is provided with a depression, said depressions registering so as to form a substantially closed chamber, a key member positioned within. said chamber, and an attaching member, for anchoring the link, interposed between said side members and hav.

ing a cut-out portion adapted to render the closed chamber free and unobstructed, all of which parts are rigidly secured together by fusible solder.

4. A fusible link embodying, in combination, two lapped side members provided at their distant ends with means for attaching them to the adjacent ends of a cable, or the like, and each of which side members is provided with a depression, said depressions registering so as to form a substantially closed chamber, a key member positioned within said chamber, an attaching member interposed between the side members and having a cut-out portion for rendering the chamber free and unobstructed, fusible solder uniting the side members and the attaching member, and means for securing the attaching member against shifting.

5. A fusible link embodying a pair of cooperating tension members, an attaching member, for anchoring the link, independent of said tension members, and fusible solder uniting the whole.

6. In a device of the class described, la fusible link, in combination with an attaching member, for anchoring the link, adapted to be secured against movement, said attaching member being so positioned as not to interfere with the proper operation of the link.

7 A fusible link embodying a pair of complementary tension members secured together by fusible solder, and an attaching member held in operative position by said fusible solder but adapted -to release the tension members upon the melting of said solder, whereby the link may be anchored by securing the attaching member to a stationary support.

8. A fusible link,'the parts of which are secured together by fusible solder, and an attaching member secured to the link by said fusible solder, whereby the link may be anchored by securing the attaching member to a stationary support.

9. A fusible link embodying, in combination, two lapped side members, an attaching member independent of said side members, fusible solder uniting the whole, and an S-hook cooperating with the attaching member for the purpose of flexibly securing the same against unlimited movement, whereby the link is anchored to preclude unlimited movement thereof.

l0. A fusible link embodying coperating tension members, fusible solder for uniting said members, and an anchoring member secured to the link by the solder which unites the tension members. f

ll. A fusible link embodying cooperating tension members secured together by fusible solder, and an additional member secured thereto by fusible solder, which additional member serves as an attaching member whereby said link may be anchored.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN W. YA'IES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

